Federal government to stop paying B.C. woman for job she doesn't have
There appears to be an end in sight for the strange predicament of a B.C. woman who was being paid by the federal government for a job she was hired for but never actually did.
Vanita Lindsay said that she has been told the bi-weekly payments – which have amounted to nearly $9,000 since they started appearing in her bank account over the summer – will stop.
A frustrated Lindsay told her story to CTV News Tuesday, and on Wednesday she got a call from a manager at Employment and Social Development Canada.
"She told me that I wasn't going to get paid at the next cycle,” Lindsay said, adding that she was also told she would be receiving a letter soon about how to pay the money back.”
Paying back the $8.816.20 won’t be a problem.
“I put it all into a different account because it's not my money,” said Lindsay.
But she still has some unanswered questions, including if she will be issued a T4 and if she will be charged interest.
"It would be upsetting if they wanted interest,” Lindsay said.
CTV News asked a tax lawyer for her opinion.
"The short answer is no,” said Fayme Hodal, with KSW Lawyers.
Hodal says because Lindsay never asked for that money and has never worked for the agency, there is no basis in her opinion for interest to be applied to the repayment.
However, anything could happen.
"Might a wrongful payor of funds attempt to charge interest? Very possibly,” said Hodal. “I'd like to hope not. I'd certainly like to think in this situation that the answer will be ‘no’ but it is absolutely not impossible."
Lindsay is hoping once the money is repaid she will be able to move on, without any further issues from the feds.
"It would be really annoying because this isn't my fault, they paid me,” said Lindsay. “I didn't ask for the pay because I quit."
In July, Lindsay was hired for a work from home position with Canada Pension Plan. She changed her mind about taking the job before it started but received six paycheques before reaching out to CTV News.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. carjacking suspect sped across U.S. border before arrest, police say
Authorities have arrested a suspect who allegedly carjacked a pickup truck in B.C.'s Lower Mainland then sped across the U.S. border, triggering a massive police response.
Alberta premier says federal border plan coming Monday
The much-anticipated federal plan to address issues at the Canada-U.S. border will be unveiled on Monday according to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
Ottawa has sold its stake in Air Canada: sources
Two senior federal government sources have confirmed to CTV News that the federal government has sold its stake in Air Canada. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, the government purchased a six per cent stake in the airline for $500 million as part of a bailout package.
Premiers disagree on whether Canada should cut off energy supply to U.S. if Trump moves ahead with tariffs
Some of Canada's premiers appeared to disagree with Ontario Premier Doug Ford on his approach to retaliatory measures, less than a day after he threatened to cut off the province's energy supply to the U.S. if president-elect Donald Trump follows through on his threat of punishing tariffs.
'Very concerned': Crews search B.C. ski resort for missing man
Police and rescue crews are searching for a man who was last seen boarding a ski lift at B.C.'s Sun Peaks Resort Tuesday.
Man who set fires inside Calgary's municipal building lost testicle during arrest: ASIRT
Two Calgary police officers have been cleared of any wrongdoing in an incident that saw a suspect lose a testicle after being shot with an anti-riot weapon.
Blizzard warning shuts down large parts of midwestern Ontario
It was a day to stay home, if you could, across much of midwestern Ontario due to weather.
Travis Vader, killer of Lyle and Marie McCann, denied day parole
The man who killed an Alberta couple in 2010 has been denied day parole.
She took a DNA test for fun. Police used it to charge her grandmother with murder in a cold case
According to court documents, detectives reopened the cold case in 2017 and then worked with a forensics company to extract DNA from Baby Garnet's partial femur, before sending the results to Identifinders International.
Vancouver Island
-
Eby says 'nothing's off the table' in responding to Trump's tariff threats
From the merry-looking set of a movie, where he was making a film-industry-related announcement, Premier David Eby came out firing with B.C.'s potential response to massive tarrifs threatened by Donald Trump.
-
Team Canada athletes counting down to Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler
In recent weeks, BC Place has hosted the Grey Cup and the biggest musical act on the planet – and soon, the opening ceremonies of the Invictus Games will take over the venue.
-
Video shows B.C. commercial truck driver stumbling through roadside sobriety check
New video sent to CTV News shows a commercial truck driver struggling to stay on his feet during a sobriety check Monday afternoon in Port Coquitlam after allegedly crashing into multiple parked cars.
Kelowna
-
Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas
A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas.
-
Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026
The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday.
-
545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down
Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day.
Edmonton
-
College remembers slain security guard as documents show criminal history of pair charged
A vigil was held Thursday at Norquest College for a security guard who was killed at an Edmonton apartment building last Friday.
-
Travis Vader, killer of Lyle and Marie McCann, denied day parole
The man who killed an Alberta couple in 2010 has been denied day parole.
-
Police warn public about a text messaging scam circulating in Alberta
Vermilion RCMP issued a warning to the public about a text message scam involving speeding violation tickets.
Calgary
-
‘Very odd’: Death of young Calgary woman remains a mystery: police
Calgary police are calling on the public to come forward with any information they may have following the death of a young woman found unconscious on a northeast pathway.
-
Man who set fires inside Calgary's municipal building lost testicle during arrest: ASIRT
Two Calgary police officers have been cleared of any wrongdoing in an incident that saw a suspect lose a testicle after being shot with an anti-riot weapon.
-
As bacteria grows resistant to antibiotics, bacteriophage therapy gets a second look
It’s being called a “Hail Mary” for a Calgary man who suffers chronic pain – and so far, it seems to be working.
Lethbridge
-
Lethbridge Fire and EMS offering safety reminders ahead of holiday season
As the holidays quickly approach, Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services (LFES) is putting out a reminder to celebrate safely this year.
-
Lethbridge man caught in possession of illegal drugs twice in 2 days: police
Lethbridge police say a 58-year-old man has been charged with drug trafficking offences twice within a 48-hour period.
-
Hurricanes continue winning ways at home, defeating Blades 2-1
The Hurricanes continued to ride a hot streak at home Wednesday, as they edged the Blades 2-1 in a game played at VisitLethbridge.com Arena.
Winnipeg
-
'I am a little anxious': Winnipeggers weigh in on proposed 5.95 per cent property tax hike
Winnipeggers are mulling over a nearly six per cent property tax hike.
-
Manitoba premier eyes list of possible retaliatory measures for U.S. tariffs
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says his government is preparing a list of potential retaliatory measures if the United States government imposes new tariffs on Canadian goods.
-
'Many lives can be saved': One year since Earl Moberg disappeared, calls for change continue
One year since Earl Moberg disappeared in Winnipeg, his family’s calls for changes to the silver alert system are on their way to Parliament Hill.
Regina
-
'We want to see some good hockey': Assiniboia rolls out red carpet for Red Wings after rink closure
The Weyburn Red Wings are carrying on with their season, despite their hometown rink being temporarily shuttered, thanks to the generosity of those in Assiniboia, Sask.
-
Sask. premier says collaboration needed to tackle border security and avoid Trump tariffs
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says an “all hands-on-deck approach” is needed to address border security concerns to avoid U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's tariff threat on products from Canada and Mexico.
-
Yorkton patient speaks out on city losing four doctors
A cattle farmer near Yorkton has spoken out about the shortage of doctors in the Yorkton region after losing her family physician in the area.
Saskatoon
-
'Gong show': Sask. emergency patients move into ambulatory unit at St. Paul's Hospital
The emergency department at St. Paul's Hospital is so full its turning to the ambulatory unit.
-
'Not even our project': Saskatoon city spends more than $5 million on homelessness with no provincial commitment
Saskatoon City Council held a special meeting Thursday morning to address homelessness years into the future, but frustration grew throughout the meeting as the province was absent from the conversation.
-
Prince Albert police release photo of suspect in family/grandparent scam
The Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) is releasing a photo of a person of interest in connection with a family/grandparent emergency scam following multiple reports.
Toronto
-
Man facing charges after allegedly stealing car with dog inside in Toronto
A 39-year-old man is facing charges after allegedly stealing a vehicle with a dog inside it in Toronto on Wednesday.
-
Car captured on video driving wrong way in downtown Toronto, striking multiple vehicles
An elderly woman is in custody after a car was captured on video driving the wrong way in downtown Toronto Thursday, leaving behind a trail of damaged vehicles.
-
'That's fine,' Trump says in response to Premier Ford’s threat to cut off energy supply to U.S.
President-elect Donald Trump is not worried about Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s threat to cut off energy supply to the U.S. as retaliation to the proposed 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods.
Montreal
-
Judge to set trial date in February in Robert Miller sex crimes case
A judge has adjourned the criminal case against Montreal billionaire Robert Miller after he was recently charged with new sexual offences involving a minor.
-
'We're seeing over 30 refusals every day': Montreal shelters struggling with winter weather underway
With winter underway, women's homeless shelter Chez Doris has announced it will resume its 24/7 service and raise funds for a new day shelter at the historic Fulford building.
-
Rust scores hat trick, Penguins strike six times in third to win 9-2 over Canadiens
Bryan Rust scored a hat trick and added an assist as the Pittsburgh Penguins crushed the Montreal Canadiens 9-2 on Thursday night.
Ottawa
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Eastbound Hwy. 417 closed near Arnprior after serious crash
Ontario Provincial Police have closed Highway 417 at Campbell Drive near Arnprior after a serious crash on Thursday afternoon.
-
Bus parked at OC Transpo depot destroyed by fire
Ottawa firefighters extinguished a bus that was fully engulfed in flames while parked at an OC Transpo depot on Thursday afternoon.
-
Local advocacy groups concerned about plan to crack down on homeless encampments
The Ontario government introduced new legislation Thursday, that if passed, will provide municipalities and police with new tools to dismantle homeless encampments and crack down on illegal drug use in parks and public spaces.
Atlantic
-
Bass River, N.S., bridge partially collapses
A bridge in Bass River, N.S., partially collapsed on Wednesday. The wooden structure was under construction when one side gave way and fell into the river.
-
N.S. Premier Tim Houston reveals new cabinet, department names
The new cabinet for the Nova Scotia government will have its swearing-in ceremony Thursday afternoon.
-
'It felt like someone had really long nails': Owl attacks Halifax runner on trail
An owl attacked a runner in a Halifax trail.
London
-
London Ont.'s funny billboard guys take serious stand against renovictions
A pair of real estate brokers are backing their words with time and money, after committing to retain a tenant living in a deeply affordable apartment above their future office space.
-
Man and woman charged following armed robbery in Exeter: OPP
According to police, on Saturday afternoon just after 1:00 p.m., the pair entered a residence on Carling Street and assaulted and stole money from the people inside.
-
40 to 80 cm of snow in some areas: Blizzard and snow squall warnings up across the region
Blizzard and snow squall warnings have rolled across much of southern Ontario – with up to 15 centimeters expected today, and blowing snow reducing visibility on roadways.
Kitchener
-
Guelph’s bike repair lady finally catches a ‘brake’
A Guelph woman who fought city hall and won in a bid to keep operating a bicycle repair service out of her garage, which benefits charity, scored another victory Thursday night.
-
Conestoga College offering 160 employees early retirement
Conestoga College is looking to cut costs by offering 160 of its full-time employees an early retirement package.
-
Premier proposing legislation to clear encampments and target illegal drug use
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is proposing stronger legislation for breaking up encampments.
Northern Ontario
-
Elliot Lake fire crews continue to battle massive apartment fire
Fire crews continue to battle an apartment building fire on Hirshhorn Avenue in Elliot Lake. Damage is extensive.
-
Northern Ont. bank employee taken to hospital with serious injuries after shooting
An employee at Northern Credit Union in Wawa, Ont., was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a shooter entered the branch and opened fire Thursday morning, the financial institution said in a statement.
-
Stabbing in wooded area of Sudbury results in attempted murder charge
Sudbury police have charged a man, 28, with attempted murder after a stabbing in wooded area off Leslie Street on Wednesday night.
N.L.
-
Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador announce energy deal worth billions
Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador have signed a sweeping new deal to build new energy projects and throw out a decades-old contract that has long been a source of strife and bitterness for Canada's easternmost province.
-
Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador expected to sign Churchill Falls energy deal
Quebec Premier François Legault and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey are scheduled to announce an energy agreement Thursday that could end decades of friction between the two provinces.
-
Newfoundland towns light up harbours to honour fishers and pray for their safety
On a twinkling wharf in a small Newfoundland town, a crowd of about 100 people stopped singing and chatting on Friday night to bow their heads in a moment of silence for local fish harvesters.
